does not sound promising

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not sound promising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express doubt or skepticism about a situation. For example, "The news that our team lost the game does not sound promising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Arts

Travel

Food

Academia

Science & Research

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This does not sound promising.

The Guardian - Opinion

That does not sound promising for the coaching staff, which generally takes the fall when seasons go off the cliff because a roster cannot be completely torn asunder.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is of great necessity", he writes, "for the Roman Curia to make repentant self-reflections over its antagonistic actions to Chinese people" during the 1930s and 1940s, when China was at war with Japan.On the face of it, Mr Ren's invitation to repent over alleged misdeeds long ago does not sound promising.

The Economist

That does not sound promising.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It doesn't sound promising.

The Guardian

The tour is called "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride," which doesn't sound promising.

The New York Times - Arts

That doesn't sound promising for investors.Nor are fast-rising commodity prices a help, except for those invested directly in the sector.

The Economist

A teen book written in blank verse doesn't sound promising but Sarah Crossan pulled it off totally – and I never, ever wanted the book to end.

The Guardian

This doesn't sound promising for ambitious young women, but consider a recent report released by UCAS, which found that women now outnumber men in 112 of 180 degree subjects.

The Guardian

BBC Capital: That doesn't sound promising.

BBC

What that means is uncertain, but it doesn't sound promising.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not sound promising" when you want to express skepticism or doubt about a future outcome based on current information or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "does not sound promising" when the situation only warrants mild concern. Overstating negativity can undermine your credibility. Choose a more neutral expression if the issue is minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not sound promising" functions as a commentary or assessment on a situation, suggesting a negative or unfavorable outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed to voice skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Sports

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not sound promising" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey skepticism or concern about a potential outcome. According to Ludwig AI, its proper usage involves expressing doubt based on current circumstances. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to temper expectations and highlight potential issues. Alternatives like "doesn't bode well" or "not encouraging" offer similar sentiments. Avoid using the phrase if only a mild concern is intended; moderation maintains credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sounds unpromising

A more concise variation using a synonym of the original adjective.

not encouraging

This directly states the lack of positive indication, similar to the original phrase.

doesn't bode well

This alternative uses different wording to convey a similar sense of foreboding.

not very hopeful

This alternative expresses a lack of optimism about a situation.

not a good sign

This is a shorter, more direct way to express that the situation is unfavorable.

not looking good

An informal way to say that the situation is unlikely to have a positive outcome.

raises concerns

This alternative focuses on the aspect of causing worry or apprehension.

gives cause for concern

Similar to 'raises concerns' but more formal and emphasizes the justification for worry.

appears unfavorable

A more formal and less direct way of saying something doesn't seem promising.

portends trouble

A more dramatic and literary way to suggest future problems.

FAQs

What does "does not sound promising" mean?

The phrase "does not sound promising" indicates that a situation or piece of news seems unlikely to lead to a positive or favorable outcome. It expresses skepticism or doubt about the future based on current information.

How can I use "does not sound promising" in a sentence?

You can use "does not sound promising" to express concern about a potential result. For example, "The weather forecast /s/doesn't+look+good for the outdoor event, which does not sound promising for attendance."

What are some alternatives to "does not sound promising"?

Alternatives include "doesn't bode well", "not encouraging", or "raises concerns", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "does not sound promising" or "doesn't sound promising"?

"Doesn't sound promising" is a contraction of "does not sound promising" and is generally more common in informal contexts. "Does not sound promising" is slightly more formal but both are grammatically correct and acceptable.